Cordillera Blanca Tour & Camping

For this tour we combine sightseeing, ruins and colourful markets with luxurious camping beneath some of the most spectacular mountains in the Cordillera Blanca.

Day 1: arrive Huaraz

Day 2: Huaraz. Relax in Huaraz or local tour. See our Day Tours Page for local tours & hikes

Day 3: Our tour starts!
First we travel on a new road to the pass Punta Callan at 4225m from where there are unequalled views of the peaks, glaciers and valleys of the Cordillera Blanca and a panorama of Huaraz down below us. On a clear day we can also see glimpses of the Pacific Ocean and the coast from the pass.

Cordillera Blanca from Pass Punta Callan

We then take a tour of the pre Inca Ruins of Wilkawain. The main temple is roofed with massive stone slabs and contains a system of ventilation ducts and we will marvel at how the ancient civilizations managed to so accurately construct buildings and list the massive stone slabs without the aid of modern technology.

After Wilkawain ruins we visit the memorial at Yungay. The town of Yungay was completely destroyed in the earthquake of 31 May 1970. The town and almost all it’s 20,000 inhabitants were buried in a massive avalanche coming off Huascaran.. The site is now a memorial with flower gardens and monuments to the thousands who perished.

Then we stop to take in the colour and noise of the busy and bustling local Caraz market and take a break with a picnic lunch in the cool and pretty Plaza Del Armas of Caraz.

Yungay Memorial Caraz Market

Finally we enter the Huascaran National Park and make our camp at a beautiful flat meadow at Yuaracorral (3850m) near the shore of the famous Llanganuco lakes. From our campsite we have impressive close views of mountains towering over us, Huascaran, Chopicalqui, Huandoy and Pisco. We enjoy a delicious afternoon tea followed by a 5 star three course evening dinner.

Llanganuco Lakes

Day 4: Spend a relaxing day at Yuracorral. Take an easy hike around the Llanganuco Lakes or a short hike up the valley towards Laguna 69. If you are feeling energetic, you can take the 2 hour hike up a steep zig zag path to visit Laguna 69, a beautiful turquoise glacial lake tucked in at the base of Pisco mountain. Or relax in camp in the sun and read a book!

Hiking towards Laguna 69 from Cebollapampa

Day 5: After breakfast our vehicle takes us up the zig zag road to the top of the breath taking Portachuelo Pass at 4770m from where we have amazing views of the surrounding mountains and Llanganuco Lakes.

View From Portachuelo Pass

Then on the return to Huaraz you have the option of either:

* Take a short half hour hike up to a beautiful waterfall tumbling from the snowy peaks of Akilpo and Copa at Jancopampa.